LOCATION-BASED SERVICES IN A FEMTOCELL NETWORK

• US 20090286510A1
• Filed: 05/13/2009
• Published: 11/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Huber, Kurt Donald, Flynn, Judson John, Mansfield, William Gordon
• Granted Patent: US 8,219,094 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3223 Realising banking transactions through M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/001 Interfacing with vending machines using mobile or wearable devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 : Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 : when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/73 : Validating charges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 : Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/082 : using revocation of authorisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/088 : using filters or firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 : using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 : Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 : for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/02 : Access restriction performed under specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 : based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/006 : with additional information processing, e.g. for direction or speed determination
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/20 : Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 : Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

System(s) and method(s) are provided to route traffic and signaling between a set of networked femto access points (APs) and enable location-based services. A femto AP in the set of femto APs is functionally linked to a routing platform that manages traffic and signaling, and is functionally connected to a controller component that relays at least part of data and control to a femto network platform. The femto network platform allows access to one or more external networks. Routing platform can exchange signaling with one or more femto APs to enable, at least in part, location-based services based at least in part on identifier(s) for a femto AP, access privileges, or time-of-flight measurements that assess propagation timing between a mobile device and a femto AP. Routing platform can supply timing configuration to enable predetermined spatial resolution of location estimates. Location estimates can be recorded and conveyed to a consumer layer.

Claims

1. A method for providing location-based services, comprising:

employing one or more processors to execute code instructions stored in a computer-readable medium, the code instructions when executed by the one or more processor implement the following acts;

supplying a timing configuration for a set of femto access points (APs);

collecting propagation timing data from a plurality of femto APs in the set of femto APs for a common ground truth associated with a mobile device;

generating a location estimate for the mobile device based at least in part on the collected propagation timing data; and

conveying the generated location estimate for the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein supplying a timing configuration includes at least one of selecting at least one of a set of clock sources or timing message(s) generated via a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein collecting propagation timing data includes:

signaling a time-of-flight (TOF) measurement of propagation of a pilot signal, wherein the TOF measurements include at least one of round trip time (RTT) measurements, time or arrival (TOA) measurements, time difference of arrival (TDOA) measurements, angle of arrival (AOA) measurements; and

receiving timing delays generated through the TOF measurements.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating a location estimate for the mobile device based at least in part on the collected propagation timing data comprises at least one of following:

determining the location estimate for the mobile device as the coverage area of a femto AP in the set of femto APs that serves the mobile device;

assigning a range estimate based at least in part on the propagation timing data to the position of the mobile device;

associating an azimuth region combined with a range estimate as the location estimate for the mobile device;

or

triangulating a plurality of range estimates to generate the location estimate for the mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

triangulating a location estimate of an entity spatially linked to an apparatus with wireless capability;

recording the location estimate of the entity; and

conveying the location estimate to a mobile device associated with a subscriber related to the entity.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving a black list of mobile device(s);

recording an attempt by a black-listed mobile device to attach to a femto AP in the set of femto APs;

generating a location estimate for the black-listed mobile-device within a coverage area spanned by the set of femto APs; and

delivering the location estimate of the black-listed mobile device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising conveying a record of the attempt to an authority, wherein the authority can be at least one of one or more law enforcement agencies, or a set of emergency first responders.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein delivering the location estimate of the black-listed mobile device includes conveying the location estimate to the authority.

9. The method of claim 8, when predetermined criteria is specified, further comprising tracking the location of the blacklisted mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of attachment attempt of a device to a femto AP that covers a specific area within the coverage area spanned by the set of femto APs; and

when the device is authorized to access the femto AP, pushing buffered content configured for delivery to the device.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when the a channel quality is below a predetermined threshold, probing if a radio frequency boundary has been reached, at least in part, by a wireless device;

when the RF boundary has been reached, conveying a handover (HO) request and receiving an indication to handover to a target femto AP based at least in part on an access list that regulates attachment to the target femto AP.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a timing configuration;

collecting a set of propagation timing measurements from a mobile device; and

conveying the set of timing measurements to a routing platform functionally linked to each of the femto AP in the set of femto APs.

13. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a list of one or more items;

triangulating position of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag linked to an item in the list of one or more items;

mapping a location extracted through triangulation with the item labeled through the RFID tag; and

convey the location of the mapped RFID tag to a mobile device associated with the received list of one or more items.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising delivering content of the mapped RFID tag to the mobile device.

15. A system, comprising:

a set of routing platforms, wherein at least one of the routing platforms generates a location estimate of an apparatus with wireless capability;

a plurality of femto access points (APs) functionally connected to a routing platform in the set of routing platforms, wherein each femto AP in the plurality of femto APs includes a radio control (RC) node that performs at least one of traffic and signaling exchange with the routing platform; and

a backhaul trunk that transports data and control among the routing platform and a controller component functionally linked to a femto network platform that interfaces with one or more external networks.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the connection of the plurality of femto APs to the routing platform is enabled through a network interface device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein an aggregator component interfaces the backhaul trunk with the routing platform, the aggregator component performs at least one of the following:

relays data and control, or shapes traffic to preserve quality of service (QoS) in accordance with a predetermined QoS profile for traffic or signaling.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the routing platforms includes a handover component that exchanges handover signaling with two or more femto APs in the plurality of femto APs when the apparatus with wireless capability is within a predetermined tolerance of radio frequency (RF) boundary.

19. The system of claim 15, to generate the location estimate, the at least one of the routing platforms performs at least one of the following:

configures a clock layer in one or more of the femto APs in the plurality of femto APs; and

controls time-of-flight (TOF) measurements of propagation timing of wireless signal that enable estimate of distance of the apparatus with wireless capability from the one or more of femto APs.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the routing platforms convey the location estimate to a consumer layer, which utilizes the location estimate as part of a navigation or location-based service.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the location estimate is delivered as at least one of a short message service (SMS) communication, an unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) message, an email communication, or an instant message.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the routing platforms delivers a location estimate of a predetermined mobile device when the mobile device attempts attachment to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs.

23. The system of claim 22, when the predetermined mobile device is detected, the at least one of the routing platforms tracks location of the predetermined mobile device within coverage area spanned by the plurality of femto APs.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the predetermined mobile device is identified in a black list that the at least one of the routing platform receives and retains in a memory therein.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the routing platforms delivers buffered content intended to a specific mobile device when the mobile device attaches to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs that is authorized to provide service to the mobile device.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein an access list that identifies at least one mobile device and regulates access to femto AP and services there from authorizes the femto AP to provide service to the mobile device.

27. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the routing platforms resolves location estimates for one or more specific items in response to attachment of a mobile device to a femto AP in the plurality of femto APs, the mobile device is linked to a source that supplies a list that identifies the one or more specific items.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein resolution of the location estimates is based at least in part on exchange of signaling with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag linked to the one or more specific items, the exchange of signaling enabled at least in part by one or more femto APs in the plurality of femto APs.

29. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one of the routing component includes a location engine that provides timing configuration to one or more of the femto APs in the plurality of femto APs to enable the TOF measurements of propagation timing.

30. The system of claim 15, further comprising a GNSS-based receiver that provides timing messages that enables timing configuration of one or more of the femto APs in the plurality of femto APs.

31. The system of claim 19, wherein the location engine comprises an analysis component that triangulates a position of the apparatus with wireless capability based at least in part on the TOF measurements of propagation timing.

32. The system of claim 15, wherein the RC node performs at least one of the following:

allocates radio resources for one or more mobile devices attached to a femto AP that includes the RC node;

schedules traffic for the one or more mobile devices;

allocates transmit power for one or more antennas in the femto AP that includes the RC node;

or

configures at least in part a mode of operation of the femto AP that includes the RC node, wherein mode of operation includes multiple-input multiple-output mode of operation.

33. The system of claim 18, wherein one or more of the femto APs in the plurality of femto APs comprise:

a clock layer that supplies, at least in part, timing advance to conduct propagation timing measurements; and

a scanner component that measures pilot wireless signal to effect the propagation timing measurements.

34. The system of claim 19, to supply at least in part timing advance, the clock layer receives timing configuration.

35. The system of claim 19, wherein the one or more of the femto APs in the plurality of femto APs further comprise a radio frequency identification (RFID) actuator that supplies stimuli for an RFID tag linked to an item within a coverage area spanned by the plurality of femto APs.

36. A system comprising one or more processors that execute code instructions retained in one or more memories to effect at least the following:

means for synchronizing time amongst a plurality of femto APs in the set of femto APs and selecting a clock source for timing delay measurements;

means for collecting timing delay data from the plurality of femto APs for a common ground truth associated with an apparatus with wireless capabilities;

means for generating a location estimate for the apparatus with wireless capabilities based at least in part on the collected timing delay data; and

means for consuming the generated location estimate.